Video Card Upgrade

[Zambini]

Here is what I have right now
WinFast PX6800 GS TDH


My friend just bought this
MSI RX1900 CrossFire RX1900 CrossFire 512MB 256-bit GDDR3

And I was about to as well but the $230 rebate is no more.

So I wanna get the bitchin'st sweetest video card possible for around $200 bucks.
I don't care if its ATI or nVidia, I want the best possible card there is for that price.

Any suggestions?

[Panda Man]

If you can cough up $250

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE Radeon X1950XT 100186L HDCP Video Card - Retail

If not, then I would suggest a 7600GT

Newegg.com - eVGA Geforce 7600GT 256-P2-N554-AX Video Card - Retail

Also, if you like XFX, they have a 7900GT for $200

Newegg.com - XFX GeForce 7900GT PVT71GUQF3 Video Card - Retail

[Tyreal]

I would suggest getting...

X1950 Pro or XT - Of course the XT is more expensive
7950 GT - Newegg.com - Foxconn GeForce 7950GT FV-N79GM2D2-HP HDCP Video Card - Retail
or a 7600 GT - cheapest.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Definitely 7950GT/X1950Pro. X1950Pro is the more powerful, but I just like nVidia more. Plus, you can't get eVGA's killer warranty with ATi.

[Zambini]

How are eVGA's warranties compared to others?

Does an eVGA cover overclocking? or just manufacturing/over-use protection?

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Zambini

How are eVGA's warranties compared to others?

Does an eVGA cover overclocking? or just manufacturing/over-use protection?

They should cover overclocking, unless something has changed recently. They have great customer support, have the step-up program, etc. They even support aftermarket cooling. But if you have to send it in, you have to take it off.

[Zambini]

Well, I was reading some of the specs from some of the cards and it looks like the Sapphire Radeon x1950XT is by far the most powerful card.

Any counters/support to this belief would be appreciated ;)


Also, upon reading the reviews, I might need to buy a quieter VGA cooler for this, so any suggestions for that would be appreciated as well.

I bought a VGA Silencer for my old 9700 a while back. and with a few exceptions i had no problem installing it.

But of course I gotta see how loud it gets for myself before I buy a quieter fan for it.
(I like my case to be as quiet as possible. I've got a Zalman cnps9500 and its nice n quiet, and I only have 3 fans, a silent 120mm, a colorful and near-quiet 80mm, and a silent 80mm)

[Quakindude]

eVGA's warranty is excellent. Just make sure you register the product within 30 days. Once registered, you have lifetime coverage. You can change the cooler out for a different one, over clock it or just put your own TIM on the stock cooler and the warranty is still good. You just have to make sure you've got the original packaging and keep the stock cooler in case you have to send it back.

I have the eVGA 7950GT KO and love it. I put a VF-900 on it before it ever went into the computer and I can overclock the crap out of it.

[Hitman]

Another thing that makes eVGA attractive is their Step Up Program. You have 90 days after purchasing the card to upgrade it to a better card. So if you buy a 7900GT and after you buy it you decide you would rather have the 8800GTS eVGA will apply what you paid for the 7900GT to the cost of the 8800GTS and all you pay is the difference.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Hitman

Another thing that makes eVGA attractive is their Step Up Program. You have 90 days after purchasing the card to upgrade it to a better card. So if you buy a 7900GT and after you buy it you decide you would rather have the 8800GTS eVGA will apply what you paid for the 7900GT to the cost of the 8800GTS and all you pay is the difference.

I still don't understand how that makes them money??